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Council debates giving presiding officer limited discretion to switch a regular meeting to all-remote for health or safety reasons
Summary
Councilors discussed a proposed rule change to allow the presiding officer to convert a regular council meeting to all-remote under narrowly defined health or safety circumstances; members generally favored limited discretion tied to public-health advice but noted charter succession, quorum and voting complications would need to be addressed in draft rule language.
Council President Alex Jarrett introduced a discussion item about whether to allow the presiding officer discretion to convert a regular council meeting to all-remote in the event of illness in the community or on the council or for other public-safety reasons. Jarrett and Councilor Maury said they wanted to explore options that would preserve public access while allowing nimble responses to health or weather concerns.
Councilors broadly agreed that limited discretion for health and safety reasons would be appropriate, but several asked that any rule change tie the decision to objective criteria (for example, public-health guidance or an official determination such as a Board of Health directive). Councilor LaBarge emphasized personal safety and noted travel and household-care considerations for members; Councilor Elkins and Councilor Moulton suggested restricting the scope to community-level health or safety issues rather than routine member absences and underscored charter succession and quorum issues.
Jarrett and Maury said they would draft potential rule language for future consideration that balances public access, charter requirements and the need for flexibility in exceptional circumstances.
